Why now?

September 29 is the Nuit Blanche, when the city stays up from sunset to sunrise, laying on a swathe of cultural events. This year's theme is The Seven Sins of the Capital, and includes gyrating dancers in the shop fronts of the Rue des Chartreux, and a midnight tango-themed vampire ball in the Laeken cemetary.

Getting there

London Waterloo-Brussels from £59 rtn (eurostar.com). Where to stay The newly built, boutique Pacific Cafe Hotel, a design-conscious little number with 13 rooms starting from €139pn.

What to eat

Spicy 'speculoos' biscuits that you've made yourself at a gourmet workshop laid on by the festival on rue des Grands Carmes.